Psalm 11:3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
1Corinthians 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is the foundation, He is also the Word of God (John 1). We Bible believers hold steadfastly to the King James Bible because it is the only Bible in English that does not destroy Jesus Christ as the foundation, but gives Him His rightful preeminence (Col. 1:18). Any ministry that an expert builds upon another foundation than the King James Bible in English, or a Textus Receptus translation in other languages, should be examined closely and their material should be used cautiously. When people use a corrupted Bible, it is more likely and possible that their some of their conclusions and advice will be corrupted too. Their foundation is messed up.

The other translations incorporate philosophies, vain deceits, and traditions of men that have been inserted through the translators "corrections" and "better renderings." These will effect the teaching of those that use them, especially those that have used a perversion of God's word all of their life. Today we have second, third and maybe fourth generation people that have not had the influence of the King James Bible at all. It is no wonder some are getting so far from the true foundation while thinking they are still "serving the Lord."

Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. In many areas the perversions of the Bible do not cast light. They cast shadows and, in place, gross darkness. Matthew 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! Our eyes should be single to the pure word of God, the Authorized Version. If the expert's eye is not single to God's word, then their teaching will have at least some darkness about it.

Example: John MacArthur denies the blood of Christ is necessary for our salvation. He teaches that it ran out on the ground and that was the end of it. It is not eternal and plays no part in our lives today according to him. It is supposedly nothing but a symbol of Christ's death. He uses another translation of the Bible (last I knew). The other translations belittle the blood of Christ.

Some folks may have some bit of useful information that you can pick up from them, or perhaps they may even have a few articles by actual Bible believers. I found this to be the case with a web page called Patriarch's Path. However, because we find one good pear on a tree it does not follow that all the pears will be good. I am not suggesting taking advice or information from heretics and obvious charlatans, as will be seen. But, if you find something useful and then realize there are some questionable things there, such as the Bible issue; take your item and move on. If you enjoy eating wormy fruit, well that is your prerogative I suppose. I do not. I once bit into a pear only to find a nice, juicy worm come crawling out. Thankfully it was still whole. I threw that pear as far away as I could, and I didn't bite into any more from that tree, or from the ground around it. God does not want you eating a diet of wormy fruit. If you feel like picking out a worm or two from something you find is Biblically sound otherwise, the Lord is merciful. But don't try to live on that stuff, sisters. It's a waste of time and God has better food readily available for you. Jeremiah 15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

It is important to remember that there are many who corrupt the word of God (2 Cor. 2:17). Because of that, it is important to know that there are many who, even though they use the King James Bible, yet they corrupt it with their "another-way-to-put-this," carnal/devilish ideas, and misinterpretations. The Mormons (The Church of the Latter Day Saints of Jesus Christ) use the King James Bible yet they teach doctrines of devils (1 Tim. 4:1). Resist the devil stedfast in the faith. (1 Peter 5:8-9) Be a noble Berean. Acts 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Search the scriptures daily. It should always be our final authority (and I don't mean "in the original manuscripts"). The people who use the King James Bible and yet correct it, belittle it, or add to it do not believe it, regardless of their profession. Do not let them fool you in this matter.

Examples: You may find these using the Authorized Version - Benny Hinn(om), Jack Van (W)Impe, the Mormons, some charismatic cults, and many more. Also, there is a whole raft of alleged King James Only, Bible believing Christians/Baptists who are grossly off in some area of doctrine. Remember that just because someone waves a King James Bible or even actively defends it does not mean that they are right with God or should necessarily be accepted as a source of good information. There are many people defending the Bible today that are a mess in their doctrine, their personal lives, their behavior, their speech. Some may not even be saved.

The Bible issue has become a hobby horse for too many and can be used as a platform to gain respect (and an income), or just to engage in railing without condemnation (1Cor. 5:11). Independent Baptists can be especially bad about this. Some people also get so wrapped up in this issue that they ignore or pay little heed to most others. Just because someone has the right Bible in their hand, and some know why they do, it does not automatically follow that they know that same Book or its' Author, or that they live by it. Sad, but true. Beware.

I also wonder if there are not some experts and ministries that use the King James Bible these days simply because they have figured out it will get them a wider following and more respect. The issue has been made known more and so some people, willing to be "useful" to (and get the money from) as many people as possible, may use the AV just because it's good for business. This may have been the case with Jack Hyles, Pensacola Christian College and others.

As regards using the Bible, another line of questions comes in here as well:
Do they give Bible answers for problems addressed? Do they give any answer?

Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

Some experts will give us answers for questions or "life issues," but their answers are not biblical. They merely pass on to us their own ideas, or the "wisdom" of the world's famous men digested and regurgitated for Christian consumption. Many have been down to the devil's cesspool, filled their measuring cup, poured it in their bucket of Christianity, mixed it well and will serve it to anyone who is dumb enough to take it. James Dobson is a pro at this.

Some experts will give us lots of answers, but they do not refer us to the word of God, or do not often enough.

Example: Michael and Debbie Pearl, people famous for the book To Train Up A Child and the newsletter No Greater Joy, give advice and answers to situations where their answer is either totally impossible to prove from scripture, or they do not bother to use the scripture that would back up what they say. This gives the impression that the Bible is really not that important to them. I have repeatedly noticed the great lack of scripture in their writings. Oh yes, they do use it, and occasionally they use it quite well, but overall there is a frightening lack. I say "frightening" because when people that profess to be so godly and are exalted so highly use so little of God's word, they call themselves into question as to their spiritual honesty. If they really love the Lord so much, why don't they use His commandments more? John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Some experts will give allegedly Bible answers to questions, but if you examine the answers you will find that they were either taken out of context, or misapplied. Peter in referring to Paul's writing tells us, 2Peter 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. These experts will wrest the scriptures to their own destruction, and to ours if we follow them. (Wrestle comes from the word "wrest.") It is time to realize and acknowledge that people that wrest the scriptures are wicked. They are not just confused.

Example: Hank Hanagraaf, "The Bible Answer Man," does not give Bible answers on subjects such as Roman Catholicism and sodomy. Mormons (Latter Day Saints, or The Church of Jesus Christ as they call themselves in some countries), Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists, and others are famous for wresting the scripture.

Some experts do not even give an answer. They simply inundate us with information on some subject and then leave us hanging to either figure out what to do with it ourselves, or to buy their next book in hopes of coming to some conclusion. There are some experts that, I believe, are doing nothing more than providing Christians with "godly" fright material. The Christians that read their books and watch their videos do not want to participate in the world's methods of getting a "good scare," and going to a horror movie would be ungodly; so they sit at home and read "christian" horror novels and the-boogie-man-is-going-to-get-you "christian" newsletters.

Examples:

Peter Ruckman has a series of tapes on UFOs that is a classic example of presenting information with no conclusion. What the purpose is I'm not sure. He certainly has made himself an expert on the subject. My Dad and brother both listened to the tapes and were not impressed. There was no spiritual application or usefulness about the thing.

Texe Marrs is a mastermind in agitating people on frightening subjects that are of no spiritual profit. For the most part, he (and Frank Perreti, possibly Dave Hunt, Tim Lahaye and some others) are supplying Christians with "sanctified" spook shows and books, which have little or no edifying qualities. Marrs, who is amillenial (not believing in the rapture of the church nor the thousand year rule of Jesus Christ from Jerusalem), leaves us with few answers or solutions. All we get is fear and trembling disguised in a thin candy shell of it-will-all-be-better-when-it's-over. In the mean time, get ready to suffer worse things than you ever imagined. Sisters, beware of this. It is very seducing, actually captivating - as in - you become his captive. Our family has seen this and heard of it happening to people. 2Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

It is the word of God that will cleanse our ways, not the advice of some supposedly wise person or a load of terrifying - or even useful - information. When we seek the truth from the Lord He may give it to us through the avenue of a human, but that does not mean that person should become our guru or the final authority in our lives. We must, we must examine all in light of the word of God. There is no other sure word in this world. NONE. Romans 3:4 ...yea, let God be true, but every man a liar...

Just a note: The Bible does answer many questions of every day life, contrary to what some are willing to admit. There are many answers there that we do not see either because we are already blinded by the experts we are following, or because we never thought of them that way. Examples: God says salt is good (Mark 9:50). He used eggs as a good food (Luke 11:12). He feeds the blessed with the finest of the wheat (Psalm 147:12). God fed the Levites with oil, wheat (Num. 18:12), and meat - meaning flesh (Lev. 6:25-26, and many more). These are just a few areas where "health" wizards have blatantly contradicted the scripture.

Psalm 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. 3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. God has magnified His word above all His name! Is that not enough proof that we should also esteem it very highly? We must cry unto God for our answers, not unto men. It is the Lord alone that will give us the answers we need, and the strength to do what is right. And, if God uses a person to answer a question for us, we must not exalt them above measure. They are but flesh.

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

graphics by mary vannattan